After you’ve lived in a home for quite a while, you’ll, at some point, get an “itch” to change it up, whether it be on the inside or outside, nonetheless, you simply need a change in scenery. The thought of moving may have crossed your mind but that’s too drastic of a change that you’re not looking to do. So what’s the solution? How about some home renovations? And if you’re an eco-friendly homeowner, green renovations will be right up your alley.

If you have that “itch” to change up your living spaces but the changes must be environmentally friendly, here are some environmentally chic and savvy ways to renovate your home. And who knows… You might enjoy this so much that you decide to turn these projects from DIY to a long-term career!

Renovation Ideas to “Green Up” Your Home

Bring Energy Efficiency Into Your Home

Bringing energy efficiency into your home is going to be one of the best things you can do “jazz up” your home all while doing good for the environment as well.

One way to bring energy efficiency into your home is to shop around for energy-efficient appliances. Whether it be a new refrigerator, stove, or washer and dryer, make sure you look for  the Energy Star logo. For these appliances to run on a daily basis, they use up tons of electricity, but when they have the Energy Star logo, they’re more efficient.

Another way is to join a shared solar initiative like Choose Solar in New York. This is simply electricity that’s generated by the sun from solar farms versus electricity that’s generated from burning fossil fuels, which by the way is terrible for the environment. Pairing electricity generated by renewable resources with energy-efficient appliances… Well, that’s a winning combination that contributes greatly to the environment.

Freshen Up Your Walls With Low VOC Paints

Standard paints have high levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and can cause a number of health concerns from mild to severe. Symptoms like dizziness and headaches can soon escalate to nervous system damage and raise the risk for low birth weight in pregnant women. So when you get that “itch” to paint, make sure you’re using paints with low VOCs or none at all.

Low VOC paints are not only eco-friendly and better for you and your family but they’re also splatter resistant and practically odorless, making it the better choice for “greening up” your living spaces.

Declutter and Donate

Sometimes the facelift your home needs is simply a matter decluttering and getting rid of the “stuff” you’ve accumulated over the years. Everything from clothes you can no longer fit or are a bit too “young” for you now, to furniture pieces that no longer go with the interior design and look you’re going for, all of those items can be donated to those who have use for it in their homes.

Places like the Salvation Army and Goodwill are great places to donate your items to, and while you’re in there, you can take a gander at the items inside yourself to see if there are items that will go with your new design style. This is ideal because the items are local and didn’t have to be shipped from anywhere far, thus, reducing air pollution through transport.